Coghill Bridge, Wick

Highland Council continues to work with consulting engineers, Aecom, to find an affordable solution for the refurbishment of the Coghill Footbridge, Wick.

New information on ground conditions, received in December 2016, has resulted in design changes and impacted significantly upon construction cost estimates, now in excess of the capital budget of £505,000 available to the project. The design process is complex and Highland Council with Aecom are now working to identify whether there is scope for cost reduction through further design changes. It is premature to speculate regarding both affordability and timetable until this review is complete.

In the meantime, public safety is of paramount importance and the Council will carry out an inspection of the structure next week.

The Coghill bridge, which crosses the River Wick to the west of the town centre, is understood to have been built in 1893 by merchant Harry Coghill (1823-1897) and gifted to the people of Wick as a tribute to his place of birth. Current proposals allow for refurbishment of the main span utilising existing piers and abutments and the addition of a new in-line single span at the south end of the crossing.